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PLEASE, we beg you – think carefully before owning a dog. Owning a dog is both time-consuming and costly. More importantly, it is a lifetime commitment.

A dog requires proper daily care and attention. This includes walking the dog every day, feeding it nutritious food such as meat and vegetables instead of leftovers, and ensuring regular grooming, including bathing, fur trimming and nail clipping at least once every one or two months.

Dogs also require interaction with their owners, a safe place to rest during the day and night, and should never be kept permanently caged.

Veterinary visits can be expensive, while travel and holidays may become limited because owners need to arrange for someone trustworthy to care for their pets while they are away.

Sadly, many people want a dog simply because it is a cute puppy, a pedigree breed or available for free.

Initially, owners may be excited about the “new addition”, but once the novelty fades, the poor animal is often neglected, ignored and left to entertain itself.

Many owners also allow their dogs to roam freely outside without supervision. Some do not even care when their dogs become lost or injured. Their solution is simply to get another dog, and the cycle repeats itself.

This is where the Department of Veterinary Services, or Jabatan Haiwan (JH), should play a stronger role. Under the Animal Welfare Enactment 2015, allowing dogs to roam unaccompanied is an offence and owners can be fined.

If only the authorities would strictly enforce this law, there would undoubtedly be a significant reduction in irresponsible pet ownership.

What is the point of approving laws if they are not enforced?

Once dog owners realise the authorities are serious, perhaps more owners will walk their dogs responsibly on a leash instead of letting them wander freely.

At present, it is heartbreaking to see owned dogs roaming without supervision, only to end up injured, lost or captured.

Worse still, some members of the public who dislike dogs report these animals to Kota Kinabalu City Hall (DBKK), claiming they are dangerous.

The dogs are then captured and allegedly dumped indiscriminately at landfill areas without proper concern for their welfare or safety. This, too, is a form of animal cruelty.

Meanwhile, irresponsible owners simply replace the missing dog with another one, continuing the cycle all over again.

Surely there must be a better solution.

The dogs are innocent victims and should not be punished. The real culprits are irresponsible owners who fail to care for their pets properly.

People should not own a dog unless they genuinely love and care for animals. Do not keep a dog solely for security purposes. If security is the only concern, employ a human guard instead.

Dogs are loyal companions that protect their owners and families unconditionally. They possess intelligence, loyalty and faithfulness – qualities that are sadly becoming increasingly rare among humans.

Dogs also provide excellent security because they can hear sounds from great distances and instinctively sense danger or bad intentions.

As such, society should appreciate dogs more and treat them with kindness and compassion.

If you do not like dogs, then please do not own one.

Dogs are living creatures with feelings. They require love, interaction and proper care. They should never be neglected or abandoned.

At the same time, the authorities should enforce animal welfare laws properly by penalising irresponsible owners rather than punishing innocent animals.

When captured dogs are sent to landfill areas such as Jalan Tuaran, they often face harsh conditions without proper shelter, food or water. Many are forced to compete with other stray dogs, leading to fights and injuries.

Most tragically, these dogs are often not sterilised, resulting in more unwanted puppies being born into suffering through no fault of their own.

DBKK and the relevant authorities should seriously consider establishing a proper animal shelter on three to five acres of accessible land, complete with strict rules, proper facilities and humane management.

Only through responsible ownership, proper enforcement and greater compassion can Sabah truly improve its standards of animal welfare.